Easement

An easement is a real right burdening one property (the servient estate) for the benefit of another (the dominant estate). In Belgium, the most common easements are: right of way (access to public road via a neighboring property), view easement (minimum distance for windows), water drainage, and pipeline easements. They may be legal, contractual, or acquired through thirty-year prescription. During a property purchase, the notary searches for existing easements in the title deeds. Easements can significantly affect a property's value and use and must be stated in the sales agreement.